First aid courses provided to WRU clubs

The Welsh Rugby Union and St John Wales have joined forces to teach lifesaving first aid skills to rugby volunteers across Wales.

Thousands of club volunteers help run the game in Wales, common examples of which are coaches, club secretaries, match officials and groundsmen.

Clubs are rewarded through WRU grant funding for having qualified first aiders on their books to assist with matchday operations.

And now, the WRU, through its' new relationship with St John Cymru Wales, is able to provide first aid courses around Wales to enable more club volunteers to receive expert training in this field.

The first course will take place at the St John Training Centre in Cardiff on Wednesday 8 December, with courses around Wales to follow.

The bespoke three-hour course which costs just £25 + VAT per person will equip volunteers with first aid skills which will enable them to deal with common rugby accidents; including head injuries, neck trauma, dislocations, sprains and strains.

Any WRU club volunteer will be able to take part in the specially designed first aid course at St John centres across Wales.

WRU National Development Manager Jason Lewis, said, "Individuals who give up their free time to help develop rugby in their communities are the most important people within the structure of Welsh rugby and are vital to the success of the game at all levels. Rugby clubs simply would not exist without their support.

"Our aim is to make sure that every club has someone who has the first aid knowledge to deal with any eventualities on the pitch."

Keith Dunn, Chief Executive for St John Wales, said: "We are delighted to be working in partnership with the WRU to deliver these essential first aid courses to rugby clubs throughout Wales.

"Each year up to 150,000 people die in situations where first aid could have given them the chance to live. Teaching these lifesaving skills to rugby volunteers will give them the confidence to deal with emergency situations should one arise."

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